Nursing & Care News | Blog | Secure Healthcare Solutions

” It’s Dementia Awareness Week and we are standing united with @alzheimerssoc against dementia

#DAW2017 #UniteAgainstDementia ”

Dementia currently affects around 850,000 people in the UK, with a staggering one in 14 people over the age of 65 living with the condition. To coincide with Dementia Awareness Week, running from 14-20 May, get to know the symptoms and causes of the health condition, along with the treatments and how it can possibly be prevented.

The word ‘dementia’ describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. These changes are often small to start with, but for someone with dementia they have become severe enough to affect daily life. A person with dementia may also experience changes in their mood or behaviour.

“Everyone, from banks and supermarkets to the local corner shop and hairdresser, share responsibility

for ensuring that people with dementia feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community.”

What causes dementia?

There are a number of diseases that result in dementia, with the most common cause being Alzheimer’s disease. This is where an abnormal protein surrounds brain cells and another protein damages their internal structure. Over time the chemical connections between brain cells are lost and cells begin to die.

Another common type of dementia is vascular dementia; this occurs when the oxygen supply to the brain is reduced because of narrowing or blockage of blood vessels, leading to brain cells becoming damaged or dying. The symptoms can occur suddenly, following a stroke, or develop over time after a series of small strokes.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

The different types of dementia can affect people in different ways, especially in the early stages. However many of the problems will be cognitive, and a person with dementia will often have problems with some of the following:

Day-to-day memory: Including difficulty remembering events that happened recently.

Concentrating, planning or organising: This could include having difficulty making decisions, solving problems or carrying out tasks.

Language: A person may have trouble following a conversation or finding the right word for what they want to say.

Orientation: They may lose track of the day or date, or become confused about where they are.

Visuospatial skills: This could include problems judging distances and seeing objects in three dimensions.

A person with dementia will also often have changes to their mood. They may become frustrated, irritable, easily upset or unusually sad. The symptoms will gradually get worse over time as dementia is progressive, however how quickly this happens varies from person to person.

How is dementia diagnosed?

There is no single test for dementia; a diagnosis is based on a combination of factors, including…

Case history: The doctor will talk to the person and someone who knows them well about how their problems developed and how it is affecting their daily life.

Physical examination and tests: Blood tests and other physical examinations will help doctors to rule out any other possible causes for the person’s symptoms.

Mental ability tests: Some tests may be carried out by a doctor or psychologist to assess a patient’s memory and thinking.

A scan of the brain: This can help to confirm a diagnosis and assess which type of dementia a patient has.

Read more about diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.

What is the treatment for dementia?

There is currently no cure for dementia, however there is ongoing research into how to help symptoms or to slow down their progression. Non-drug treatments available include advice, support and therapies for dementia patients. Talking therapies, cognitive behavioural therapy and cognitive rehabilitation may help some patients, while people with dementia are also encouraged to stay as active as possible – both mentally and physically.

There are some medications available to dementia patients including memantine, a drug that may be offered in the moderate or severe stages of Alzheimer’s disease to help with attention and daily living. Meanwhile people with vascular dementia are likely to be offered drugs to treat the underlying medical conditions that cause dementia, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or heart problems.

How can dementia be prevented?

While there is no proven way of preventing dementia, following a healthy and active lifestyle could reduce the risk of developing the condition. This includes maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet, staying active and avoiding excessive alcohol and smoking, which can lead to narrowing of the arteries. It has also been suggested that staying mentally and socially active into later life may reduce a person’s risk of dementia.

Caring for a loved one with dementia ?

For more information on dementia visit alzheimers.org.uk. If you think that you or anyone you know may have dementia it is important to visit your GP or talk to one of our care professionals at secure healthcare solutions .

How to Get Involved

We have never thought we would be writing about this but facts are facts and we feel it is our responsibility to act and act fast .

Nursing hardship does exist and this must stop !

Nurses are nearly twice as likely as the average person to
be unable to afford basic necessities like beds, washing machines and keeping their homes warm

Two in five nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants have
a long-term physical or mental illness that limits their day-to-day activity

Nurses are 3 times more likely to have experienced domestic
abuse in the last year

This is appalling, and we all need to take urgent action

Unfortunately, many people seem to think that the most important people in the healthcare system are the doctors, but this is simply not true. Ever the underdog, nurses play a key role in all of our medical institutions, being responsible for the welfare, safety and recovery of patients. Nurses have an enormous amount of knowledge and many diverse skills they spend years perfecting and developing, all the time working in decidedly tough environments where extreme stress is just a part of the job. Nurses help bring new life into the world, care tirelessly for the sick and injured, and sometimes watch the patients they did everything to save pass away despite their best efforts.

We are very proud to collaborate with Cavell Nurses Trust in this fundraising campaign to raise both money but most importantly urgency and awareness to tackling this national issue. Cavell Nurses’ Trust is a very active charity that provides help and financial support to UK nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who are suffering hardship. Together with supporters like you, we can make a difference.

How we can help :

£1000 to help a nurse fleeing domestic violence establish a new home after leaving everything behind

£500 to pay the deposit for a rental flat for a homeless nurse in crisis

£500 to help a nurse who has had to suddenly leave their job to become a full-time carer for a loved one

£300 to help a nurse facing working-age poverty with vital home repairs they cannot afford
£100 to help a nurse with mental health problems stay in their own home

Feel inspired to help? We’re looking for people like you to take action

To support and raise money for Nurses in need , kindly click here

Nurses .. they make a difference in our lives every day !

Time to give them something back – they are worth it !

We Count On Your Support & Kind Generosity

🙂

Thinking and memory skills were most improved when people exercised the heart and muscles on a regular basis, a review of 39 studies found. This remained true in those who already showed signs of cognitive decline. Taking up exercise at any age was worthwhile for the mind and body, the Australian researchers said.

Exercises such as T’ai Chi were recommended for people over the age of 50 who couldn’t manage other more challenging forms of exercise, the study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine said.

Physical activity has long been known to reduce the risk of a number of diseases, including type-2 diabetes and some cancers, and it is thought to play a role in warding off the brain’s natural decline as we enter middle age.

The theory is that through exercise the brain receives a greater supply of blood, oxygen and nutrients that boost its health as well as a growth hormone that helps the formation of new neurons and connections.

In this analysis of previous studies, researchers from the University of Canberra looked at the effects of at least four weeks of structured physical exercise on the brain function of adults.

In a variety of brain tests, they found evidence of aerobic exercise improving cognitive abilities, such as thinking, reading, learning and reasoning, while muscle training – for example, using weights – had a significant effect on memory and the brain’s ability to plan and organise, the so-called executive functions.

Joe Northey, study author and researcher from the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise at Canberra, said the findings were convincing enough to enable both types of exercise to be prescribed to improve brain health in the over-50s.

“Even if you are doing moderate exercise only once or twice a week there are still improvements in cognitive function, but the improvements were better the more exercise was done,” he said.

He said people should be able to hold a conversation while doing moderate exercise.

NHS guidelines recommend that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week and exercise the major muscles on two or more days a week.

As well as staying physically active, Dr David Reynolds, from Alzheimer’s Research UK, said it was equally important to look after our brains by staying mentally active, eating a balanced diet, drinking only in moderation and not smoking.

Exercises such as T’ai Chi were recommended for people over the age of 50 who couldn’t manage other more challenging forms of exercise, the study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine said.

In this analysis of previous studies, researchers from the University of Canberra looked at the effects of at least four weeks of structured physical exercise on the brain function of adults.

“Even if you are doing moderate exercise only once or twice a week there are still improvements in cognitive function, but the improvements were better the more exercise was done,” he said.

He said people should be able to hold a conversation while doing moderate exercise.

NHS guidelines recommend that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week and exercise the major muscles on two or more days a week.

Secure Healthcare Services has grown to be one of UK largest private providers of healthcare staffing, in-home support, care and respite services to people with disabilities, ageing people and their families. We can assist our clients in meeting their staffing needs on a permanent,temporary and a contract basis.

Some qualities that helped make us the best staffing service in the west midlands region

Accessibility: We currently employ the best carers and nurses – thanks to our career development plans , free training and top pay packages and we are on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If you have an issue after normal business hours, we will always be there to solve the problem.

Reliability: We have built a loyal client following due to our expertise and timeliness in filling open requisitions. Our team of experienced staffing and recruitment professionals are subject matter experts in the business area they serve, and work endlessly to find the right fit for your facility / location.

Tradition: We have been one of the leaders in healthcare staffing for over 25 years. We have developed a deep network of nursing homes, home care professionals and nurses with varying levels of expertise to meet your organisations specific requirements.

For those that don’t know about our company, we are a healthcare staffing agency that specialises in dental, gp, hca and nurse staffing services, allied health staffing services, as well as home care. As a leading provider of homecare, nursing, and allied health personnel in the west midlands, we pride ourselves on our commitment to both the facilities and organisations we help, staff as well as to the community of healthcare professionals we serve to help source the best candidate in the market.

Call us or write to us now, however you feel comfortable and we will to get back to you within 24 hours. Alternatively, if you have any questions or queries about out service, or are interested in any healthcare service we provide, please give us a call on 0121 285 9449

Some qualities that helped make us the best staffing service in the west midlands region

Are you a Health Care Assistant in the Birmingham area who has a passion for care? If the answer is yes, then Secure Healthcare could be the right option for you! Visit our open day to find out more about the new roles we have to offer (temp and perm).

Our team of Care Assistants within the Birmingham area are expanding and we have several vacancies available for people who share our commitment in providing excellence service.

We specialise in supplying Health Care Assistants to Nursing Homes, Residential homes, NHS hospitals, mental health hospitals and the community across the UK.

Secure Healthcare is never short of a variety of hours to cover and so has a shift to suit every worker.Our business operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week and ensures we give you constant and regular work on a daily, weekly and long term basis, we build strong relationships with our personnel which allows us to make your work with us hassle free.

This enables you the ability to specify your own work availability each week and be allocated the shifts that suit your lifestyle and commitments.

This is only one of many outstanding benefits of working with Secure Healthcare.

We offer many exciting and unique prospects such as:
Excellent pay rates.
Free and easy to use online training updates.
Referral Scheme Where you can earn up to £500.
Weekly Payment.
24/7 on-call support team.
Bonus Schemes.

Registering with us shall require you to provide:

Applicants must also have at least six months care experience in the past 2 years.
Two professional references one of which is to be either your current or most recent employer.
DBS disclosure to be carried out.
National Insurance number.
So without hesitation please apply with your most recent CV.

If there’s any problems call Tamika on 01212859449.

Location: 65-67 Summer Row, Birmingham B3 1LB

We look forward to welcoming you soon ?

Are you a Health Care Assistant in the Coventry area who has a passion for care? If the answer is yes, then Secure Healthcare could be the right option for you! Visit our open day to find out more about the new roles we have to offer (temp and perm).

Our team of Care Assistants within the Coventry area are expanding and we have several vacancies available for people who share our commitment in providing excellence service.

We specialise in supplying Health Care Assistants to Nursing Homes, Residential homes, NHS hospitals, mental health hospitals and the community across the UK.

This enables you the ability to specify your own work availability each week and be allocated the shifts that suit your lifestyle and commitments.

This is only one of many outstanding benefits of working with Secure Healthcare.

Registering with us shall require you to provide:

If there’s any problems call Tamika on 01212859449.

Location: 65-67 Summer Row, Birmingham B3 1LB

We look forward to welcoming you soon ?

Our team of Care Assistants within the Coventry area are expanding and we have several vacancies available for people who share our commitment in providing excellence service.

We specialise in supplying Health Care Assistants to Nursing Homes, Residential homes, NHS hospitals, mental health hospitals and the community across the UK.

This enables you the ability to specify your own work availability each week and be allocated the shifts that suit your lifestyle and commitments.

This is only one of many outstanding benefits of working with Secure Healthcare.

Registering with us shall require you to provide:

If there’s any problems call Tamika on 01212859449.

Location: 65-67 Summer Row, Birmingham B3 1LB

We look forward to welcoming you soon ?

Nurses get more up close and personal with sick patients than anyone else does. And yet it’s vital for them to stay healthy: They’ve got hard work to do and can’t be ill around patients with compromised immune systems. We’ve heard countless times that it’s essential to take care of ourselves before taking care of others—you know, the whole “secure your oxygen mask before assisting others” drill—but it’s hard to put into practice. Nurses actually do it.

1. Wash your hands

This one always amazes me. For my nurses, this means washing your hands obsessively outside of work, also. Don’t reserve the clean hands just for clocking in.

2. Dress appropriately

Just because your car is parked in a covered garage does NOT mean you don’t wear the appropriate outdoor clothing. I don’t know how many times I see coworkers walking “quickly” from their car with little to no outdoor gear.

3. Get some sleep

That wonderful immune system you’ve built up isn’t gonna do you any favours if you’re not properly rested. A sleep-deprived immune system is worth nothing to you.

4. Help your immune system

This is that sly reminder to make wise health decisions. I don’t think I need to explain to you what tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption can do to that immune system? Oh, this also goes for eating properly cooked meat, etc., too.

5. It’s okay to be around those who are sick

In fact, it’s a requirement! How else is your immune system going to recognize, fight and develop an immunity to those nasty bugs out there if it’s not being exposed to them? Stop avoiding everyone who looks, sounds or claims to be ill.

6. Don’t go to work sick!

This is a tough one for my fellow nurses. There is absolutely no benefit to showing up for work sick. If anything, it will make you feel worse and GET worse. Stay home. Get that sleep I was talking about.

7. Call the doctor when it’s time

Antibiotic resistance is not a myth. Don’t call your PCP just because you have a runny nose. This holds true for the other end of the spectrum, too! Don’t wait 10 days into your cold when you don’t have enough energy to make the phone call, let alone talk.

8. Stop taking shortcuts – OTC Meds

The list is endless here. Vitamin C, B12, D, E (pick a letter from the alphabet), echinacea, ginkgo biloba, elderberry, zinc, etc. Stop looking for lightning in a bottle…it doesn’t exist.

9. Tie back your hair

Just because you can’t see the germs doesn’t mean they’re not there. Tie it back, ladies! And gents!

10. Don’t touch your face

Most communicable diseases are transferred by touching your eyes, mouth or nose with unclean hands and fingers. Not to sound like a broken record, but make sure to wash your hands as much as humanly possible!

So. Did I miss any major tips? Care to add one?